Method and apparatus for normalizing servo-positioning signals, particularly for transducers for recording tracks

Abstract

 Analog servo-positioning signals transduced from a recorded member (10), such as embedded servo signals (28, 30; 32, 34) recorded on a disc memory or the like, which are to be compared to one another in order to derive an error signal indicative of off-track position deviations, are normalized for accurate responsive positioning changes by use of an analog-to-digital converter (62) reference by both a positive and a negative summation of the two analog signals and supplied with the individual analog signals as inputs, such that the digitalized output comprises a pair of digital signals, the first representative of the quotient of the first analog signal divided by the summation of the two analog signals, and the second representative of the second analog signal divided by the same summation of analog signals. The two resulting digital signals are then processed in a microprocessor (68) by subtracting the second such quotient-representative signal from the first. thereby providing a fully-normalized digital signal representative of the deviation from true position. An analog multiplexer (66) is preferably used as a switching input to the A/D converter, and the latter comprises a multiplying type A/D converter.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to servo-positioning, and particularly but not exclusively to the closed-loop servo-positioning techniques used in digital data recording and reproduction, particularly in disc- type record media, where positioning signals are recorded on the disc media for tracking purposes, as for example in systems of the type known as "embedded servo" positioning systems, where the positioning signals are in effect interspersed with the user data fields.

[0002] With the ever-increasing desires for achieving both greater quantities of data storage on record media, particularly discs, and for achieving components of smaller and smaller physical size, the recording tracks on record media continually become narrower and narrower, and packed more and more closely together, track densities greater than 500 per inch becoming ever more frequently discussed.

[0003] With such high track densities, it becomes mandatory to servo-control the transducer head so that it "locks on" to the desired track and "follows" such track over its actual configuration, rather than being held at a fixed concentric position relative to the disc and making the assumption, well known to be untrue, that the recording tracks are in fact perfectly circular and concentric with the disc.

[0004] In such servo-positioning systems, the disc media is frequently pre-recorded with marking signals disposed along the various recording tracks, which can be detected and utilized as servo loop control signals, such pre-recorded signals often being placed between successive user data fields and identified by the expressive term "embedded servo" signals.

[0005] Perhaps the most frequently-encountered systems for utilizing embedded servo.tracking methods are based upon the principle that there will be analog differences, particularly amplitude differences, between signals transduced from recorded bursts which are disposed in a symmetrical pattern with respect to the recording track centreline if the transducer head is not then accurately aligned over that centreline. Such amplitude (or other analog) differences thus provide the basis for an error signal, which. can be used to indicate the magnitude and direction of position changes which will bring the transducer into alignment with the centre of the particular track involved.

[0006] In processing such signal differences, however, it is necessary to employ normalizing techniques, since the absolute magnitude of the differences will vary in a number of ways, for a number of reasons. Generally speaking, it is believed that the most typical approach heretofore followed in normalizing such signals was to sum the absolute magnitudes thereof and use the summation as an AGC feedback signal to an amplifier feeding the signal detectors, the output of such feedback-compensated pre-amplified detectors thus ostensibly producing the desired normalized signal. However, a number of difficulties arise in such a system, primarily because of variations in the absolute magnitude of the signals, and thus of the signal differences, leading to the introduction of very undesirable error sources and instabilities in the resulting servo-positioning.

[0007] The present invention provides a new and desirable error-signal normalizing concept, including method and apparatus for more directly and efficiently achieving the desired normalization, without providing for the introduction of error or system instability as occurred previously. Such result is achieved not only more effectively but also with greater economy, particularly by greater use of digital processing and components.

[0008] Thus according to one aspect of the present invention, a method of producing a normalized servo-positioning signal from first and second analog error signals which are representative of an actual position in relation to a desired position comprises the steps of: separately converting each of said first and second analog error signals to first and second digital signals of representative value; and digitally processing said representative-value digital signals to produce a resultant digital signal which represents the quotient of the difference between the first representative-value digital signal and the second such signal, divided by the sum of such two digital signals.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of servo-positioning a transducer to maintain centring thereof upon a recording track on a moving record member is characterised by: transducing at least first and second signals recorded on said record member at known positions relative to said recording track, and obtaining first and second analog error signals from the transduced signals, said analog error signals being representative of the actual transducer position with respect to said recording track in relation to a desired position with respect thereto; separately converting each of said first and second analog error signals to first and second digital signals of representative value; digitally processing said representative-value digital signals to produce a resultant digital signal which represents the quotient of the difference between the first representative-value digital signal minus the second such signal, divided by the sum of such two digital signals; and using said resultant digital signal as a transducer repositioning guide by moving the transducer relative to the said recording track over a distance and in a direction of repositioning movement as represented by said resultant digital signal to thereby at least partially centre said transducer upon said recording track.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, apparatus for producing normalized positioning signals from first and second analog error signals which are representative of an actual position in relation to a desired position comprises analog-to-digital converter means having referencing input terminals and signal input terminals; circuit means for applying said first and second analog error signals to said signal input terminals; circuit means for applying a summation of said first and second analog error signals to said referencing input terminals;and means for digitally processing the output of said analog-to-digital converter means to produce a resultant digital signal which represents the quotient of the difference between said first and second error signals divided by the sum of such first and second error signals.

[0011] More particularly, the present invention provides its novel results as a direct adjunct of, and as an integral part of, an analog-to-digital conversion step which, in a broad sense, is likely to be involved at some point in any such system, but which has not heretofore been considered or used as a part of the normalizing procedure.

[0012] The invention may be carried into practice in various ways but one form of apparatus embodying the invention and its mode of operation in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, pictorial depiction of a recording disc segment;

Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged schematic depiction of a small segment of a single recording track of the recording disc of Figure 1;

Figures 3A and 3B are enlarged schematic depictions of transduced signal patterns resulting from recorded transitions, for purposes of illustration;

Figure 4 is a block-form schematic representation of a typical prior art normalizing circuit;

^- Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of apparatus pursuant to the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a graphical representation of certain response characteristics of the circuit of Figure 5, for purposes of illustration.

[0013] Referring now in more detail to the drawings, Figure 1 depicts in a schematic and pictorial manner a segment of a recording disc 10, illustrating the same as having a number of generally concentric recording tracks a, b, c, d, etc., each of which, it will be understood, in reality would be a visually indistinguishable, exceedingly narrow concentric line of recorded transitions, tightly packed contiguous to the next adjacent concentric track. Typically, the record tracks a, b, c, etc., are divided into data sectors, such as are designated at 12, 14, 16,each comprising a wedge-shaped area delineated by a radius of the disc at either end. Along such delineating radii are typically positioned, in "embedded servo" disc recording formats, servo sectors which in Figure 1 are designated by the numerals 18, 20, 22, 24, etc. It is to be understood that, in a more particular sense, various recording formats have been proposed, not all of which necessarily involve the use of servo sectors disposed along radii, but all of which use some generally analogous approach, radially-aligned servo sectors being very typically encountered.

[0014] An exemplary segment of a recording track a' is depicted in Figure 2, the same being shown for convenience as having a linear shape, which is to be understood as in fact being circularly curved, at least where the recording media is a disc. In the exemplary such segment of track a', data sectors are designated 12', 14', and the servo segment therebetween is designated by the numeral 20'.

[0015] Within the servo sector 20', a somewhat hypothetical recording format is depicted for purposes of illustration, the same being regarded as having certain features generally illustrative of many patterns actually in use.

[0016] More particularly, the servo sector 20' is shown for purposes of illustration as embodying a first record block 26, which may be considered as providing track-identification indicia, timing signals, etc. It will be noted that this first burst, or series of transitions, is in essence a full track wide, and it is followed by a series of alternating half-track-wide servo-positioning bursts 28, 30, 32 and 34, the first such two (i.e., blocks 28 and 30) to be considered as a pair, and the second two (i.e., blocks 32 and 34) also to be considered as a pair. The servo sector 20' may terminate in a final full track-wide block 36, for example.

[0017] It will be noted that the servo-positioning bursts 28, 30, etc., are, as indicated above, one-half track wide, the same being centered upon a hypothetical centreline "aa" of recording track a', and extending outwardly to the lateral boundaries of such track. Thus, a track-wide transducer head, shown symbolically for purposes of illustration at 38, will reproduce the full amplitude of track-wide signal bursts such as 26 and 36, but will reproduce only one-half that much energy, e.g., amplitude, from the half-track-wide servo-positioning burst 28, 30, etc. Furthermore, if the transducer is centred exactly over centreline aa, the amplitude of each burst of signals transduced from servo blocks 28 and 30, for example, will be exactly equal, and would thus null out if compared. However, if the transducer head is shifted laterally one way or the other with respect to centreline aa, the transduced signals from the individual servo blocks 28 and 30 will be proportionately larger and smaller, depending upon which way the head happens to be shifted. That is, referring to Figure 2, if the head 38 is shifted upwardly with respect to centreline aa a distance, for example, of one-fourth the track width, the full amplitude of block 28 would nonetheless still be reproduced, but the amplitude of block 30 would be reduced by a^pproxi- mately 50 percent.

[0018] Various specifically differing analog-type encoding formats are known or may be envisioned for embedded servo blocks which might be considered to be very broadly or generally similar to servo sector 20', but amplitude-type systems are perhaps the most typical presently encountered. Generally speaking, error signals are derived from such systems in generally analogous ways, i.e., basically by comparing two or more of the resulting signals reproduced from different points in the servo sector (e.g., blocks 28 and 30) and obtaining their differences. Where amplitude systems are involved, such difference comparisons will, of course, be readily understood, at least in a broad, general sense.

[0019] Nonetheless, embedded servo-tracking systems which operate on an amplitude-responsive basis, while perhaps being the most frequently encountered and in some ways the simplest, involve certain inherent tendencies toward errors and difficulties. For example, in the first place, the amplitude resulting from transducing signals in outer tracks such as a, b, etc., will be significantly greater than the amplitude resulting from signal transducing in the innermost tracks such as y and z. This occurs for two basic reasons: first, the relative velocity between the transducer and the recording track is substantially greater near the outer periphery of the disc and, in the second place, the bit-packing density is much greater in the innermost tracks. Figures 3a and 3b illustrate these conditions in a general way, Figure 3a being illustrative of the greater signal amplitudes transduced from outer tracks, and Figure 3b representing the relatively smaller amplitude transduced from inner tracks, for general comparison.

[0020] More particularly, Figures 3a and 3b illustrate in a general way relative signal amplitudes resulting from transducing servo burst patterns (such as servo blocks 28 and 30) from an off-centre transducer position (i.e., a first transduced signal burst "A" representing a transducer positioned closer to a first servo block, i.e., block 28, and a second signal burst "B" representing transducer output from the ensuing complementary servo block 30, with the head in the same off-centre position, i.e., further away from servo block 30). Thus, in tracking the innermost recording tracks, the absolute magnitude of the servo burst patterns may be relatively small. With respect to these showings, it should be borne in mind that even the larger-amplitude bursts "A" will only be, at most, half the normal amplitude resulting from a recorded transition which is a full track width wide, since the servo positioning bursts 28 and 30 are only half a track wide. Thus, it will be appreciated that a large position error (say, almost a half-track off the centreline) which occurs near the centre of the disc will produce one error signal component (for example, a "B" burst) whose absolute magnitude is very small indeed.

[0021] Furthermore, it is generally well understood that recording disc media is not likely to produce uniform transducer output over its entire surface, even neglecting differences attributable to transducer- to-track relative velocity differences as noted above. That is, the recording and transducing characteristics of the disc media are simply not uniform over its entire periphery, and in some instances a relatively "dead" area may suddenly be encountered even where the head-to-disc distance or clearance remains absolutely uniform; of course, in reality this clearance of "flying height" does not remain absolutely uniform, for many, many reasons, inasmuch as the head "flies" aerodynamically above the surface of the disc on a film of air, and relatively minute changes in ambient air conditions within the disc drive are likely to affect such aerodynamic conditions from time to time, and the same is true even for changes in position of the transducer relative to the face of the disc.

[0022] A very substantial, or significant, source for additional error in amplitude or other analog- servoing techniques involves the processing of the position-indicating servo bursts A, B, both in conjunction with the anticipated wide differences in absolute magnitude expected to be encountered, as noted above, and in a more particular sense even the processing of less widely divergent relative signal magnitudes. That is, in the first place, it is of course known that the absolute magnitudes of the positioning signals cannot merely be subtracted one from the other and the difference used to generate an error signal, since a positioning error of, say, one-fourth track on an outer track (such as a, b, etc.) will produce a much larger absolute magnitude difference than will the same quarter-track positioning error on an innermost track (such as y, z etc.), while exactly the same amount of transducer repositioning movement would be needed in both cases to bring the transducer back into alignment with the track centre. Thus, normalizing of the absolute analog values is required, i.e., in accordance with classical concepts of the normalizing expression

.

[0023] It is in the particularities of the means utilized for implementing the aforementioned classical normalizing function that provides a substantial source of error. More particularly, as indicated in Figure 4, perhaps the most frequently-encountered conventional approach for normalizing such error signals involves the use of a feedback loop 40 in which the absolute magnitudes of the transduced error signals A and B, obtained from the output of a detector stage 42, are summed by conventional summing network 44 and fed back as an AGC (automatic gain control) signal to the input amplifier 46 connected in the transducer read channel path and receiving the transduced signal bursts A, B which originate at the read head, or transducer. Thus, the AGC feedback comprises an "A+B" normalizing function signal, and the net effect is to make the detector stage a dividing circuit, i.e., all of the inputs being in effect divided by the summation A+B which is being used as feedback. Thus, by use of an analog subtracter circuit 48, the output appearing on output 50 of subtractor 48 is in effect a representation of the normalized function

.

[0024] The problem involved in use of a circuit approach such as is illustrated in Figure 4 for achieving the normalizing purpose discussed is that the AGC feedback effect of the summation A+B primarily involves the gain-controlling effect of the circuit in the presence of transducing conditions actually encountered in disc recorders, as noted above. That is, under conditions such as that referred to in conjunction with Figure 3b,where the absolute magnitude of both signal A and signal B are diminished purely as a result of transducing conditions, the summation A+B of course diminishes also; however, when the summation is used as an AGC feedback signal, and the summation diminishes, the gain of the amplifier 46 is boosted substantially in response to the diminishing feedback function. The effect of this gain increase is, of course, a multiplication of the absolute magnitudes being supplied as inputs, and this in effect introduces distortions of non-servo signals (i.e., data) being received and supplied to other parts of the read system, along the path indicated at 52, the operational amplifier 46 not being limited to the servo channel. The end result is the introduction of potentially erratic or unstable circuit performance. For example, where the AGC-compensated amplifier gain has been pushed very high, noise components present in the incoming signal are similarly amplified, to the detriment of overall circuit performance and accuracy. Similarly, under circumstances where recording tracks closer to the centre of the disc are being transduced and absolute magnitudes of transduced signals thereby are commensurately smaller, the AGC-compensated amplifier will already be exhibiting a relatively high gain which, when a "dead spot" of very low signal reproduction is encountered, the amplifier gain will be raised to its maximum level. With localized dead spots, the low-amplitude signal reproduction is only a very momentary condition, since the defective magnetic characteristics causing such an error will be highly localized. Therefore, the amplifier circuit will abruptly and almost instantaneously pass from the condition of maximum gain to the next instant where relatively normal-amplitude signals are transduced, but the time constant of the feedback loop is inevitably unable to respond instantly, causing the amplifier to be badly overdriven, into saturation and/or clipping, with resultant high levels of distortion in the output, very adversely affecting servo-positioning, data reading, etc.

[0025] The present invention resolves the aforementioned problems and difficulties by proceeding on a different conrept, which provides for the use of a relatively uncomplicated circuit approach, using a minimum of components but providing for significantly different results. As illustrated in Figure 5, in accordance herewith the transduced input from the read head is provided to a first stage operational amplifier 53, and to a detector stage 54, from which data read signals are available to a data read channel 56, but the servo normalizing channel is quite different than in the case of Figure 4. In the first place, the A and B outputs from detector 54 are summed by a summing network 58 and supplied, through an operational amplifier 60, as a positive-polarity reference to a multiplying-type analog-to-digital converter 62. This A+B signal summation is in effect inverted by an amplifier 64 having a gain of minus unity, whose output is supplied as the negative reference input to the multiplying A/D 62.

[0026] The signal inputs to the multiplying A/D 62 are provided by absolute-magnitude A, B signals from the output of detector 54, through an analog multiplexer -66, which in effect functions merely as a switching circuit, with the ability of selecting either the A signal or B signal for use as an input to the A/D converter 62.

[0027] With the aforementioned circuit arrangement, the analog inputs to the converter 62 are not only converted to digital form, but the conversion is accomplished as a function of the plus (A+B) function and the minus (A+B) function being supplied to the converter as reference inputs. This brings about normalization of the A signal and B signal components during conversion, in a manner generally illustrated by the step-function conversion characteristic 70 illustrated in Figure 6. That is, the multiplying A/D converter 62 will, when supplied with referencing inputs of the character noted, in effect ascribe a digital value in a proportioning manner, i.e., the absolute value of signal A will be compared to the absolute value of signal A plus signal B, and the resulting proportion is in effect what will be converted, or provided as an output from converter 62. Thus, the absolute magnitudes of input signals A and B are in effect cancelled out, the same proportion resulting from A and B inputs having an absolute magnitude of eight and four, for example, as would be true for A and B inputs having an absolute magnitude of two and one, respectively, since the proportion is the same in each case even though the absolute magnitudes differ markedly. Thus, in each case, the digital signal appearing as an output from converter 62 would be the same, and the effects of transducing amplitude variations will be eliminated.

[0028] Accordingly, the net effect of the circuit of Figure 5 is to take each servo signal A and B in turn and compare each to the reference inputs constituting their algebraic summation. The resulting first and second digital outputs thus produced is then supplied to a microprocessor 68, which digitally subtracts the results to produce the desired normalized error signal. The result is achieved without any of the problematical effects introduced by the AGC loop shown and discussed in connection with Figure 4 and, in particular, the sizable and unexpected shifts in the gain of the circuit. Conversely, the circuit of Figure 5, in accordance herewith, is totally independent of any such feedback loop-recovery time considerations, _C'nly instantaneous values of servo signals A and B being examined at any particular instant. Thus, reduced to very simplified terms, the concept involved in the circuit of Figure 4 is based on the apprehension that normalizing requires production of an (A-B) function,to be divided by an (A+B) function; conversely, the present invention, viewed from a similar conceptual standpoint, approaches the problem by producing a first quotient with only signal A in the numerator, and the normalizing function A+B in the denominator, then producing a similar quotient with only signal B in the numerator, and the same signal summation as a denominator, assigning digital values to the resulting proportional value achieved, and then subsequently subtracting the second such quotient-representative digital code from the first such code.

[0029] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the apparatus involved, the analog multiplexer 66 may be implemented by the integrated circuit known under the designation AD7502, the multiplying A/D converter may be implemented by the integrated circuit designated AD7574, the microprocessor may comprise the chip designated 8741, and the other components such as operational amplifiers and detectors may be the same as have been used heretofore. The summing network may simply be a resistor network.

Claims

1. A method of producing a normalized servo-positioning signal from first and second analog error signals which are representative of an actual position in relation to a desired position, said method comprising the steps of: separately converting each of said first and second analog error signals to first and second digital signals of representative value; and digitally processing said representative-value digital signals to produce a resultant digital signal which represents the quotient of the difference between the first representative-value digital signal and the second such signal, divided by the sum of such two digital signals.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the digital processing is carried out by obtaining a first digital signal representative of the quotient of the first such digital signal value divided by the sum of such two digital signal values, obtaining a second digital signal representative of the quotient of the second such digital signal value divided by said sum of signal values and subtracting the second such quotient signal from the first thereof.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2 in which the first and second digital signals representive of said quotients are obtained by using an analog-to-digital converter and applying a reference signal thereto which represents the analog summation of said first and second analog error signals.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 which includes applying a second reference signal to said converter which represents the negative analog summation of said first and second analog error signals.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 which includes applying a first input to said converter comprising an analog representation of the first said error signal.

6. A method as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 which includes applying a second input to said converter which comprises an analog representation of the second said error signal.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 in which the application of the or each input to said converter is carried out by use of an analog multiplexer.

8. A method of servo-positioning a transducer to maintain centring thereof upon a recorded track on a moving record member, characterised by: transducing at least first and second signals recorded on said record member at known positions relative to said recording track, and obtaining first and second analog error signals from the transduced signals, said analog error signals being representative of the actual transducer position with respect to said recording track in relation to a desired position with respect thereto; separately converting each of said first and second analog error signals to first and second digital signals of representative value; digitally processing said representative-value digital signals to produce a resultant digital signal which represents the quotient of the difference between the first representative-value digital signal minus the second such signal, divided by the sum of such two digital signals; and using said resultant digital signal as a transducer repositioning guide by moving the transducer relative to the said recording track over a distance and in a direction of repositioning movement as represented by said resultant digital signal to thereby at least partially centre said transducer upon said recording track.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 8 in which the step of moving the transducer over a distance and in a direction as represented by said resultant digital signal is carried out by using said resultant digital signal to determine the magnitude and polarity of a drive signal applied to a positioner means which controls the movement and position of said transducer.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9 in which the digital processing is carried out by obtaining a first digital signal representative of the quotient of the first such digital signal value divided by the sum of such two digital signal values, obtaining a second digital signal representative of the quotient of the second such digital signal value divided by said sum of signal values and subtracting the second such quotient signal from the first thereof.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 in which the first and second digital signals representative of said quotients are obtained by using an analog-to-digital converter and applying a reference signal thereto which represents the analog summation of said first and second analog error signals.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 11 in which the step of applying a first input to said converter comprises an analog representation of the first said error signal, applying a second input to said converter which comprises an analog representation of the second said error signal, and applying said first and second inputs to said converter by use of an analog multiplexer.

13. Apparatus for producing normalized positioning signals from first and second analog error signals which are representative of an actual position in relation to a desired position, said apparatus comprising: analog-to-digital converter means (62) having referencing input terminals and signal input terminals; circuit means (52, 54, 66) for applying said first and second analog error signals to said signal input terminals; circuit means (58, 60, 64) for applying a summation of said first and second analog error signals to said referencing input terminals; and means (68) for digitally processing the output of said analog-to-digital converter means to produce a resultant digital signal which represents the quotient of the difference between said first and second error signals divided by the sum of such first and second error signals.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 in which the circuit means for applying a summation of said first and second analog error signals to said referencing input terminals comprises an analog summing network with gain-setting means.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 in which the gain-setting means comprises a positive-polarity signal path and an inverting signal path (64), for applying both a positive and a negative summation of said first and second analog error signals to different ones of said referencing input terminals.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14 or Claim 15 in which the circuit means for applying said first and second analog error signals to said signal input terminals comprises a switching circuit means (66) for receiving both such error signals and for selectively supplying either thereof to the said converter.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which the switching circuit means comprises an analog multiplexer (66).

Drawing